April 23, 2013

Scripps developing cellphone technology to alert patients before heart attacks

by Gareth Mankoo

The number of deaths suffered because of late detection of heart conditions and lack of blood pressure monitoring is quite alarming. However, it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea to undergo frequent checkups. In fact, many people who tick themselves as healthy often fall prey to unsuspected heart attacks. Just why the solution that Dr. Eric Topol is recommending arrives with welcome applause. Dr. Topol, the Director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute let us know about the development of a nanosensor that will be introduced to the bloodstream of patients. This little wonder is capable of signalling one’s cellphone, every time it detects that the artery lining is shedding cells. This is an early indicator of a heart attack and often ignored. “And then you will get on your phone a special heart attack ringtone which will warn you within a week or two weeks that you are very liable to have a heart attack,” explains the cardiologist.


This is the best way to ensure that the patient does not have to undergo frequent checkups and also puts the body under continuous surveillance. Some could find it obtrusive but mostly, life is worth more than the price of privacy.

[Via – Textually]